iQOO Z10x Review: A Powerful Budget Phone

In 2025, the budget smartphone segment is going through a serious upgrade. Brands are finally bringing balanced features below the ₹15,000 mark, with fewer compromises than before. Among the fresh entries, the iQOO Z10x stands out as a battery-focused performer with solid internals. But is it the all-rounder everyone hopes for? In this iQOO Z10x review, I’ll break down everything from design to performance after using the phone extensively for 20 days.

Unboxing Experience & First Impressions

iQOO keeps things straightforward with the packaging. Inside the box, you get:

• The iQOO Z10x handset
• 44W fast charger
• USB-A to Type-C cable
• Transparent TPU case
• SIM ejector tool
• Documentation

The moment I picked it up, the device felt sturdy yet a bit heavy, which is understandable given the massive 6,500mAh battery. The matte plastic back with a wave-like texture (Ultramarine color in my case) looks modern and is great at resisting fingerprints.

Design & Build: More Rugged Than Expected

Let’s talk about design and build quality, an area where most budget phones cut corners. Surprisingly, iQOO delivers a refined polycarbonate build that doesn’t feel cheap.

• Dimensions: 165.7 x 76.3 x 8.09 mm
• Weight: 204g

While its 204g weight hints at bulkiness, the Z10x feels ruggedly dependable. With an IP64 rating (dust/splash proof) and MIL-STD-810H certification (military-grade durability), it outlasts rivals like the Vivo T4x 5G in harsh conditions—a feat unheard of under ₹15,000.

What confused me was the oversized camera module. It looks premium but only houses a single usable lens. The depth sensor and IR blaster are decorative at best, and the IR blaster’s placement inside the module makes it tricky to use. Still, for daily use, the phone feels dependable in hand.

iQOO Z10x Display Review: High Refresh Rate, But No AMOLED

The iQOO Z10x sports a 6.72-inch Full HD+ LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s sharp and fluid during scrolling, with Panda glass protection.

• Resolution: 2400 x 1080
• Peak brightness: 1050 nits
• Bezels: Thick, especially the bottom chin

Out-of-the-box color calibration leans warm, but toggling to ‘Professional mode’ delivers more accurate hues. While peak brightness hits 1050 nits (ideal for daylight use), the LCD panel lacks the deep blacks and contrast of AMOLED rivals like the Nothing CMF Phone 1.

Despite being an LCD, it includes an Always-On Display feature, though its usefulness is limited due to the technology. For casual users, the screen is perfectly serviceable.

Performance Review: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 in Action

At the heart of the Z10x lies the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset built on the 4nm process. It’s paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.

• AnTuTu: 624,994
• Geekbench 6: 1019 (single-core), 2756 (multi-core)

After two weeks of heavy use—streaming videos, editing photos, and juggling 10+ apps—the Dimensity 7300 never stuttered. Even BGMI at HDR+ Ultra settings ran smoothly at 60fps, though the lack of 90fps mode may irk competitive gamers.

Gaming Experience

I played BGMI at HDR + Ultra settings and Call of Duty Mobile at Very High graphics and frame rate. Both games ran well with minimal frame drops. However, it doesn’t support 90fps mode in BGMI, which may bother competitive gamers.

Thermals are well-managed. Even after 30+ minutes of gaming, the phone stayed cool. That’s impressive, especially since there’s no vapor chamber cooling.

In my opinion, for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, the Z10x punches above its weight class.

Software & UI: FuntouchOS Gets the Job Done

The iQOO Z10x runs Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15 out of the box. iQOO promises 2 years of software updates and 3 years of security patches, which is reassuring.

Pros:

• Most bloatware (like Hot Apps/Games) can be disabled during setup.
• UI is clean and functional once tweaked.
• Few spammy notifications.

Cons:

• Pre-installed apps like Facebook and Truecaller come baked in.
• Update rollout may be slower for budget devices.

FuntouchOS 15 introduces AI-powered portrait enhancements , but results are inconsistent—skin tones often appear unnaturally smooth, while backgrounds blur unevenly. For most users, sticking to standard filters will yield better outcomes.

iQOO Z10x Camera Review: A Basic Shooter

Camera is where iQOO still has room for improvement. The phone includes:

• Rear: 50MP primary + 2MP depth sensor (non-functional for imaging)
• Front: 8MP selfie
• Video: 4K@30fps (rear), 1080p@30fps (front)

Daylight Performance

Images are decent with warm tones and good colors. But zoom in and you’ll notice softness and loss of detail. Dynamic range is limited too.

Low-Light Performance

In darker settings, the phone struggles. Night shots have a watercolor effect, and flaring from light sources is common.

Selfie Camera

Selfies are processed too much, especially under bright light. In low light, they turn grainy and lack clarity.

For quick Instagram posts or WhatsApp stories, the 50MP main lens delivers punchy colors and decent detail. However, low-light shots suffer from noise and washed-out textures—think grainy night skies and blurred street signs . Portrait mode struggles with edge detection, often smudging hair or background objects.

Audio: Loud But Not Deep

The Z10x comes with dual stereo speakers and a software audio booster (up to 400%). The result? It gets really loud, which is great for media consumption.

However, the sound lacks bass and clarity at higher volumes. There’s also no 3.5mm headphone jack, so you’ll need USB-C earphones or TWS buds.

For casual viewing and calls, it’s fine. Audiophiles, however, might want more.

Battery Life: Truly Outstanding

The battery is the real hero here. In my testing, 10 hours of screen-on time stretched across two days—covering YouTube streaming, gaming, and social media. Even after 30 minutes of PUBG Mobile, the battery dropped just 7%.

Charging is fast, too:

• 44W wired fast charging
• 0–100% in around 1 hour 15 minutes
• Charger is included in the box (thankfully!)

Whether you’re a power user or someone who hates charging often, the Z10x delivers in this department.

iQOO Z10x vs Competition

In a crowded market, here’s how it stacks up:

• Poco M7 Pro: Has AMOLED + OIS camera, better display but weaker battery.
• CMF Phone 1: Unique design, better camera system, modular accessories.
• Vivo T4x: Almost identical hardware but priced slightly higher.

Against the Vivo T4x 5G (₹13,999), the Z10x’s 6,500mAh battery lasts 2 hours longer in mixed use. Compared to the CMF Phone 1 , it trades modular accessories for raw endurance, making it ideal for users who hate charging midday.

Final Verdict: Is the iQOO Z10x Worth Buying?

Pros:

• Amazing battery life
• Durable, IP64-certified design
• Dimensity 7300 offers solid everyday performance
• Clean software with long-term update promise
• Fast 44W charging with charger in the box

Cons:

• Average camera performance
• No AMOLED panel
• No headphone jack

My Take: After using the iQOO Z10x for three weeks, I can confidently say it’s a solid pick for budget-conscious users who value battery life, performance, and durability. The camera and display tech aren’t groundbreaking, but at this price, it’s a fair trade-off.

At ₹12,999 (6GB RAM), the Z10x is a battery-centric all-rounder that outlasts the Realme P3x 5G and CMF Phone 1. While its camera and display won’t wow enthusiasts, it’s a no-brainer for users who prioritize uptime over pixel-peeping.

FAQs about iQOO Z10x

Q: Is iQOO Z10x good for gaming?
Yes, for casual to moderate gaming. BGMI and COD Mobile run smoothly on medium to high settings.

Q: Does the iQOO Z10x have AMOLED display?
No, it uses an IPS LCD panel. AMOLED is missing, but it offers 120Hz refresh rate.

Q: How long does the battery last?
With a 6,500mAh battery, it easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days on moderate use.

Q: Is the camera good?
The 50MP camera is average—okay in daylight, weak in low-light.

Q: Does it come with a charger?
Yes, a 44W fast charger is included in the box.

If you’re someone who hates charging every night, values a clean user experience, and doesn’t prioritize photography, the iQOO Z10x might just be the budget phone you’ve been waiting for.